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Sopapilla Cheesecake

Around my house we can’t say Sopapilla for some reason. We end up calling them Sofa Pillows. Because we’re goobers like that. So for all intents and purposes, this is Sofa Pillow Cheesecake in my house.

What are Sopapillas? They are basically fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar. And they look like little Sofa Pillows.So this cheesecake is a take on that lovely fried dough. Except this has a cream cheese layer smushed in the middle. Oh yeah. This recipe comes from the latest Gooseberry Patch cookbook, Simple Shortcut Recipes.

It has over 225 recipes for “almost homemade” dishes that will save time by using convenience items and prepared ingredients. Along with the recipes, Gooseberry Patch always gives helpful tips, hints and charts to help you out in the kitchen. Like this chart that I love. I can never remember size-equivalents for casserole dishes and baking dishes.

So, as I am known to do, the first thing I did when I got my hands on this book was flip to the desserts. Because my sweet tooth knows no boundaries. When I saw the ingredients for this I recognized this recipe immediately as one my Grandma had made for us when she was visiting last year. Except she just called her recipe Cream Cheese Crescent Bars. The only real difference was she used white sugar in the filling instead of brown. I gotta say, I kinda like it both ways. I think the white filling looks a bit prettier than the brown but the brown sugar gives it a slightly deeper flavor.

Ingredients:

2 (8 oz.) tubes refrigerated crescent rolls

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar (or white granulated sugar)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cups (1 stick butter), melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray (I like the kind that has flour in it.)

Unroll one tube of crescent rolls and layer in bottom of pan, pressing seams together.

Hello Monique, I'm probably one of your biggest fans! I watch your youtube videos faithfully..I just adore you 🙂 I see this is an old contest but wanted to write something anyways God Bless you and thanks you for all you do for us.. much love -Angie

I love simple shortcuts in the kitchen! As a working mother of four young kids, this recipe book will come in super handy on those stressed out evenings wondering what to cook for my family! Jessybells@msn.com

With three very busy and very hungry teenagers, I'm always looking for helpful hints and shortcuts to make our daily routine a little less complicated. Please enter me for the awesome give-away – thank you.

I would love to add this book to my collection! I use a box of yellow cake mix with a stick of butter cut into it and sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg and sprinkle over top of pie filling to make a quick and easy cobbler in a hurry!lz1211@yahoo.com

Hi! One of my short-cuts in the kithen for a quick and easy family meal is to use a bag of frozen meatballs and add some brown gravy to them, instant potatoes and a veggie on the side. Or to make it Italian, use jarred spaghetti sauce and add a salad and garlic bread. Thanks and good luck to everyone!

Hey Brandie! I would love to win this cookbook! Since we moved a few months ago, I have to work later and don't have as much time in the kitchen. And I really want to make the sopapilla cheesecake. It looks so yummy! My email is franjohnston5@yahoo.com

When I want to ice cupcakes or drizzle a glaze on a cake, I use a ziplock bag with the corner cut off. You can make pretty swirls on cupcakes with a larger hole. Cut the hole smaller to drizzle the glaze over a bundt cake for a pretty presentation.

Love, love, love your site with all the GREAT recipes & information! I am a wife, mother, grandmother, pastor's wife & assistant to the sheriff in my county (talk about needing a short cut!) My twin sister collects these cookbooks…this would be a great one to start my own collection!

I use cake mixes to make dump cakes, everything is just dumped into the cake pan. I roll out biscuits to make hot pockets. I also chop up my onions and green peppers and freeze for later use. I buy the chopped bacon from the salad bar at the grocery store. It is precooked and chopped and I can get about 2 cups for $1.00. I keep it frozen in the freezer, ready to use.

I always keep canned biscuits and other canned rolls on hand. Good for many different speedy dinners. Wrapping hotdogs with biscuits is a favorite for kids. Dumplings in soups and stews can be added easily with canned biscuit pieces. Would love to win a cookbook. Thanks for the offer. lori7b7@gmail.com

I love any kind of cookbook & love to share recipes with our 12 year old granddaughter who loves to cook & use her imagination. My best shortcut is to ask my husband to go into the pantry or cupboard & get me things for a recipe so I don't have to stop! That's a shortcut for sure to me!!

Hello I would love a chance to win the cookbook it looks amazing. I love nothing better than cooking special things for my family. One shortcut I use that is oh so good I make potato salad out of leftover mashed potatoes. Have a great day.

Hello…Greetings from the Peach State of Georgia…I am a very happy retiree and former County Extension Home Economist (formerly known as a Home Demonstration Agent) lol…. I truly adore simple recipes with shortcuts because I'm too busy to oook…I know…I should have lots of time to cook, but I'm too busy having fun…thanks for the recipe share…my e-mail address is gagirlgbk@hotmail.com. Have an awesome day! Gloria

I would love to win. I could really use some kitchen short cuts. I'm moving away from home for the first time and my room mate and I will be alternating cooking duties so I'll need all the help I can get.

my best hint is to make double of whatever and freeze for the next time. I am always open to new hints and ideas. been making some recipes from my mom from back in the 50's people laugh at potato candy and velvetta fudge.! but oh are they gooooddddd.

HelloI would love to win this cookbook. I love to make desserts and stuff to take to work or family gatherings and would LOVE to get the shortcuts. My e-mail address is linda45873@yahoo.com PLEASE PICK ME!!!!!

My cannot give up shortcut is to have a weekly menu planned using the slow cooker almost daily, & I stick to it.. On the weekend I shop & chop veggies. After spending 20 hrs a day with 2 of my grands st their place I go home to a home cooked meal. We don't eat asmuch take out. The next day I get up, start another slow cooker meal & do it all again. Shortcuts? Oh yea I could use a book on those! RhondaRhondasemptynest@sbcglobal.net

This cookbook would be great for my family! Thanks for the chance to win! My favorite shortcut in the kitchen is baking bacon in the oven instead of a skillet on the stove. It is so much easier! Thanks! jstone 45601 @ gmail . com

I am all for learning new shortcuts in the kitchen! Would love to win this book to learn more. I always try to cut up celery, onion and peppers to freeze so they will always be on hand for recipes.linda4stuff@tx.rr.com

I'm all about shortcuts. Mr. Food is a big food inspiration for me. And my mom's way of cooking often involved easy store-bought items that she would "doctor up." Would love to see what this cookbook has to offer. 🙂

I separate my ground meats into appx. 1 pound balls and put them into freezer baggies. Then I get all of the air out of the baggies and smash the balls flat. This makes the meat easier to store and defrosting a thin layer is SO much easier than a hunk of meat!!! I can take out a pound of meat and be ready to cook it in less than 15 minutes. A must-have trick in a house with an 11 year old who is involved in everything under the sun and a mom who is a full-time college student! Regardless of whether I win or not, I hope this helps someone out there!!!

I'm 74 years old and bake quite a bit. Recently, I remembered what we did in Home Ec when I was young. Thatis, to get all the ingredients out and line them upon the counter befor I start to bake and I don't have to keep running back and forth to get anything. Also, I use Rachael Ray's garbage bowl, which saves a lot of time.

As busy as I am with working a full time job here at home, with all the extra hours I work, I could definately use a shortcut cookbook! Please enter me in the contest. Love the recipe!deviousdeb123@yahoo.com

I just get vegetables washed, cut, wrapped in paper towel and put into a freezer bag, into the fridge. Makes it easier when I start to cook or make a salad. I would love to win this cookbook though to learn more shortcuts 🙂

Love your recipes because it's usually so easy to cut them in half for the two of us, or make more by doubling or tripling for a potluck. Rainy and nasty here today so trying your Crock Pot Lasagna for the first time. Following up with the Sopapilla for dessert. Have to splurge once in awhile! Thanks!

snpgal@yahoo.com says that chopping, chopping, chopping for the week can be done in one or at most two sessions. Get the chopping on, rock out to some good music and have great homemade salads and stir frys at the drop of a hat when you get home from work. 🙂

Your site has become my new FAVORITE recipe go to and I have pinned a few and blogged few too!I am just learning the shortcuts, but so far my favorite is mini chicken pot pies ❤ but I can't WAIT to try this cheesecake 🙂

I really need some shortcuts. I love to cook for my family, but since I have M.S., I am beginning to try to find ways to cook so the taste is the same, but a little cheating never hurts the cook. No, I am not using the M.S. card just to win a free item. It is true, unfortunately. It is easier to find great tasting shortcuts now than in the past, but this book looks like the kind of food we love. Susan Ricke,Greensburg, IN susanricke@hotmail.com

I love thinking up shortcuts in the kitchen, the only problem is, that my shortcuts always come out disaterous. I would be blessed to have a tried and true Shortcuts cookbook in my kitchen, my family would be grateful too. 🙂 knejdl58@gmail.com

My name is Sandy and I love baking… have since I was in 8th grade. A cookbook like this would help a single mom like me tremendously. I'm usually busy either working, doing something with/for my 15 yr old son or going to different types of church events.

My name is Sandy and I love baking… have since I was in 8th grade. A cookbook like this would help a single mom like me tremendously. I'm usually busy either working, doing something with/for my 15 yr old son or going to different types of church events.

I would love to get my hands on this Newest Cook Book! WAHOO…it looks like a good one! One of my favorite "short cuts" in the kitchen is to save extra tomato sauce, spaghetti Sauce or Pizza Sauce in a ice tray. Just pour it in, freeze then pop them into a freezer zip lock baggie. You can add them to any recipe! 🙂

Not really shortcuts, but I've learned to almost "double" some things. For example, canned frosting. Put it in a bowl and whip it with your electric beaters. Adding the air almost doubles what's in the can. Cooked meats can be thrown into the Kitchenaid mixer and be shredded with the paddle attachment, this gives me almost double vs. cubing the meat or shredding it with two forks.

If all the recipes are as easy and great as this one then this book is going to be AWESOME! My shortcut is to freeze different fruits and veggies from the summer months in small containers that are the perfect size for adding to dishes or the fruit for pies and cobblers and such. That's all I got really. (or just a frozen pizza here and there for another shortcut)teehee!

I recently learned of the short cut to shredded chicken. I use alot of shredded chicken and it would take me so long. This trick is everywhere on pinterest but I tried it and it works and makes me feel a little bit better about making those dishes so often. Place it in my stand mixer, use the paddle attachment, and turn it on 2 for about 1-2 minutes.

Susan said…Canned biscuits is a great shortcut to use for many recipes when in a hurry…to make dumplings, fried pies, pigs in a blanket, baked apple dumplings, bottom crust of a cobbler, etc. Please enter me for the giveaway. Thankscraftybikerbabe@live.com

I would love to have this cookbook. I just started to enjoy cooking. So, I need to take baby steps..lol…Thank you for such a wonderful site. I have made a couple of recipes and my hubby loved them, which is surprising because I don't cook.. 🙂

I have just really started cooking in the last 2 years and what I really like about the books is that the recipes are simple and easy to follow, and a lot of comfort recipes. They make me think of my mom's cooking. I love the christmas recipe books.

Since I hardly ever use enough fresh herbs to finish a bunch before they go bad, I whizz them up in the food processor, use my cookie scoop and make 2 tablespoon mounds of herbs on a cookie sheet. Pop into the freezer for a couple of hours and then remove them to a plastic baggie labeled with the herb inside. Then when I need something, I just pull out my perfect portion and plop it in my dish as I'm cooking. 🙂

Hello! When I am making breads, pizza crusts, meatballs, I like to make double and then freexe for next time. I also like to seperate my meats when I buy in bulk. I also have a weekly menu based on the sales in the grocery store so I can cut costs as well!!

I guess the best shortcut I have learned the the artisan bread in 5 recipe, I can keep a big container of dough in the fridge for pizzas, homemade rolls & bread. TOO easy and so much healthier and faster than using frozen dough.

Hello! You're recipes are sooo good! I have found that if I wash up dishes and utensils as I use them saves lots of time and gives me a minute or two to collect thoughts and/or think about another recipe to try. Thanks so much for sharing such good food.

I just love these cookbooks, they are simple and easy directions. I love the Christmas cookbooks. The recipes makes me think of recipes from my mom and grandmother. Comfort recipes and recipes that my family loves.

This recipe looks awesome….can't wait to try it! I would love this cookbook, too. My daughters are at the age where they are expanding their attempts at cooking so things will be a little easier when they get out on their own! Seems kids these days love shortcuts. This book would give us a lot of great ideas. 🙂

love to cook ,love your books.My 2 DIL's recently became fans as well.I like to keep a list of quick ideas handy & the ingredients on hand to be prepared for drop in company or when short on time.Would LOVE to use this book.Thanks for th e opportunity .

Just found your blog a couple of weeks ago and am lovin all the recipes. Tried the apple dumplins and they were a hit with all the guys my husband works with. Now the cheese pillows. WOW!!! I'm in heaven!!!

Being a mother and a wife i always look for a shortcut! Anything that goes in the crock pot works for me. This time of year it would be chicken tortilla soup…pot roast and potato soup! LOVE THEM!! Anything using crescents or premade pie crusts are great too…

Love Gooseberry Patch and short cuts!!! Canned biscuits, tubs of soft cream cheese, frozen chopped onions….so many great short cuts. Would love to learn some more. I'm making the Sofa Pillows Wednesday after grocery shopping! Thanks!

I think one of the best things to do is to make a weekly menu. That way, you know exactly what you are making each night and don't have to go through the cupboards over and over again deciding what to cook. eatcakefordinner@digis.net

I think one of the best things to do is to make a weekly menu. That way, you know exactly what you are making each night and don't have to go through the cupboards over and over again deciding what to cook. eatcakefordinner@digis.net

Thanks ever SO much for giving me a good chuckle this morning! My deceased mother could say 'sopapillas' either. She said 'SOAPY PILLOWS'(even in restaurants!). I love your blog. I have printed so many of your recipes and tried bunches of them.I also enjoy very much 'Gooseberry Patch' cookbooks. Thanks again!memakellum@yahoo.com

I would love an opportunity to win the Gooseberry Cookbook! I love their cookbooks(I have several already!) I am a working mom with 3 growing boys, a husband, and taking care of my mother in law. Short cuts for quick, healthy meals would be a great help!

Thank you so much for all of your recipes and the chance to win this cookbook.

I use bite size pieces of raw canned biscuit dough as my dumplings in Chicken and Dumplings. Many years ago my Mom (and Nanny) both shook their heads like they couldn't figure out where they went wrong when I told them I did that 🙂fairisle01@yahoo.com

Thanks for all you do, Brandie! Love your recipes, your blog, etc. You have rapidly become one of my favorite "places" to visit. I like using shortcuts because it means I can make more "goodies" more frequently and increase the variety of things I make. I like to use cake mixes, refrigerated cookie dough, and cookie mixes as bases for lots of things—it's amazing what you can come up with! I do a lot of baking for office functions–birthdays, Board meetings, "just because I felt like baking,"—and would not be able to do as much with out shortcuts. I would love the opportunity to win this cookbook—Gooseberry Patch is great!

Oh, -please- add me to your list. I do so need to be inspired. 🙂 After 47 years of marriage I am "burnt" out with cooking, have run out of inspiration and excitment.Your site helps me get revived again.I have already made your Twinkie cake and loved it, as did my grown daughter and her family who got to help me eat it. Going shopping today to get ingredients for several of your other great recipes.No tips today, but I do have a few old recipes I would love to share with you…

I recently got my first pressure cooker and I love it. Great to come home from work and do a beef stew in 12-15 min, chicken breast in 6 min. This cookbook could also be adaptable to that. I am a new viewer to your site and love it by the way.

Oh Brandie – this is one of my top favorite recipes! I have a similar one in my cookbook…but I haven't ever tried it with the brown sugar. What a wonderful change up! I love to precook meats to keep in the freezer to make meal making quicker. You and I share such similar taste buds! =)

I would love to win this cookbook so I could add this to my Gooseberry Collection. They are my absolute favorite. My shortcuts would have to be canned biscuits (they can be the crust for anything) and crescents (you can fill them with anything for a quick snack).

Hey, Looked up the cookbook on Amazon. Looks amazing & I would love to win a copy, but if that doesn't work out I'll be ordering one. Love shortcuts for delicious dishes.Krista Smithkristabsmith@gmail.com

I can't get enough of your recipes!! They are awesome! I would love to win the cookbook but if I don't, I will still look for all your wonderful recipes. Your banner says it all — You are truly a Country Cook.

I always get all my ingredients together, measure out my flours,sugars etc. Always clean up dishes before moving on to next thing to bake.Winning this book would be a great addition and help…ciao4now64@yahoo.com

I have made the Cream Cheese Danish recipe but used beaten egg whites to top the crust. It makes it a pretty golden color. I drizzle it with a powdered sugar glaze after it cools. Yummy! Love the cookbook! (pkrains@tcworks.net)

I'm big fans of both the Country Cook and Gooseberry Patch!! Would love to have a copy, thanks for the chance to win one!!

We love chicken pot pie, but often the process of making the pie crust and rolling it out is a pain…my short cut in smooshing out canned biscuits in a giant muffin pan, adding the pot pie, then topping with a smaller, rolled piece of canned biscuit. They bake fast, taste great and everyone gets their own cute serving.

Wow. I mean, just WOW! This looks and sounds incredible! I want to make this immediately when I get home. Eat a piece then immediately remove it from my site so I don't eat the whole thing. Looks divine!

As a stay at home mom of 2 that homeschools, and help manage my husbands buisness and takes care of the house. Any short cuts in the kitchen would be a great help. I love to have hot meal ready every night when my husband gets home from work and like to add a variety so we arent eating the same thing all the time. Occassionally I enjoy throwing a dessert into the mix also. Any short cuts and new reciepes are a great help in my kitchen!!Laurakatnemmy@hotmail.com

One of my favorite shortcuts is to use an immersion blender whenever possible when a recipe calls for using a blender or food processor… so much easier and less to clean up afterwards!Danaemail: bananathorn@bellsouth.net

Yes it does look yummy! Not sure if I am entering the cookbook giveaway, but my little tip is I buy the large can of Chilpotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce, which I use in many dishes. I never use the whole can small or large, so I freeze the left over and cut off what I need for the next recipe that I cook. It goes a long way and no wast at all… Sonya Wilson sonyavwilsonbellsouth.net on

When I make meatballs I make a ton. I use my ice cream scoop & the George Forman grill. They cook in half the time & the excess fat runs off. Pop them into the sauce in the crock pot & simmer. Have a meal that night & freeze the rest of them in my food saver bags. When you need a fast meal all you have to do is cook some pasta & make a salad. You might think they get all squished but they don't, just don't press down on the lid of the grill.

Hi Brandie. I would love to win this cookbook. My only shortcut in the kitchen is when I make dinner like Baked Penne and I make enough to have that night and then I make extra so I can freeze one in a 9×9 Pyrex dish. It is so nice having that extra one in the freezer ready to go. Just thaw, heat and eat!

I don't really have any short cuts so I could really use a book like this. I guess the only one I do have is to freeeze my meat in portion sizes so that way and I grab and start cooking!trishap1973@yahoo.com

Hello!!!What a wonderful cookbook and how wonderful of you to do this giveaway. One of my fave shortcuts is to use "Cream of ______ soups (such as chicken, asparagus etc as a base for gravy. Works every time! Iwould absolutely LOVE to win this book because although i love to cook and love being in the kitchen, most of the time i am in 'rush' mode. This book would save my life most days of the week!! Thank you, arlene Marie email: carpediem5790@yahoo.com

Oh, i also wanted to say, there are SO MANY MANY MANY recipes on ths site that i really want, er need. Do you have a cookbook? If not i'm going to have to go one by one, oh well, it will be well worth it!!! Thank you for your site and for sharing and forthe GBP giveaway. arlene Marie email: carpediem5790@yahoo.com

I would love to win the cookbook. I enjoying cooking but with a full time job it's not always an option. The greatest shortcut that I can think of this morning is buy hamburger in large packages and then go ahead brown the entire amount and freeze in amount needed for certain recipes. Cuts cooking time.

This is a shortcut I have just started doing recently. I buy onions and green pepper when they are on sale, chop them up and put them in freezer bags. Usually 1 cup per bag. Freeze and take out whenever a recipe calls for it.

One of my favorite kitchen shortcuts is to use canned "butter tasting" biscuits as my dumplings in my Chicken n Dumplings! I just tear them into little chunks and toss 'em in! It really adds an amazing lil burst of flavor, and I always get told.. "Wow. These dumplings are amazing"!! HaHa! I haven't revealed my secret until NOW!! Another helpful hint I do is chop up my onions and green peppers and put them in ice cube trays, and add just a lil water, and freeze! That way, you can pop out just as much as you need and not waste any. I have my country mama to thank for my dumpling secret, and as a new country mama myself (I have a 15 month old lil redheaded boy)I look forward to learning new and exciting shortcuts! Thanks so much for your blog! I really enjoy it.

Short cuts are great and any that help get me out of the kitchen are the best! I like to cook but not spend a lot of time doing it. My shortcut is to buy a bag of chicken breasts, cook them all at one time and then either shred, chop or make into strips, Put each in a baggie, label and freeze. I am ready for what ever trips my fancy…Thanks for the chance to win a cool cookbook!

As a new mom, 3 months old, and a caretaker of disabled parent I'm always prepping on the weekends when the hubby is home to help. I then during the week it's easy to throw together a homemade meal! Bbailey2804@comcast.net

Hi! I could use this cookbook because I need a few shortcuts in the kitchen. About the only shortcut I can think of is, I used frozen stir-fry vegetables last night in the wok instead of cutting up fresh vegetables. tammycuevas@tampabay.rr.com

I could really use this recipe book! I'm a brand new innkeeper for a Bed & Breakfast and I'm trying to come up with some quick, easy and delicious recipes for our guests. This recipe book would be highly used, I promise!

I am a HUGE Gooseberry Patch Cookbook fan and love their cookbooks! One of my favorite and most used tips in the kitchen is when I'm chopping onion….if it makes me teary, I pop it in the freezer for about 5 min and when I get it out to cut there are no more tears!!! 🙂 Thanks for this opportunity! caseyandcrystal@yahoo.com

I could use some shortcuts in the kitchen. We homeschooling here with two boys. We are trying to eliminate processed foods and do home cooked food from scratch…but it takes time. We ate loving it but sure would like a short cut here and there.

I could use this cookbook so at our family gatherings I can have a new recipes. With Easter right around the corner this cookbook would come in handy. Christine My e-mail is : christie_blackburn@hotmail.com

Hi! Love your blog and recipes….always makes me hungry. =) As a stay at home mom of 3 currently dealing with the pain from hardware inside my chest to correct my chest wall ( have to have it in a yr ) this cook book sure would help me make things easier at night…and give the older kids an opportunity to pitch in…my almost 11 yr old daughter LOVES to cook for the family…If I won it , I would give it to her so we could share.Thank you for taking your time to offer step by step instructions and especially with pictures! Your site is well put together and simple to navigate and use.

Just found your blog, recipe book looks great, I love shortcuts…one shortcut I use is if a dessert has a layer of melted chocolate chips on top, like peanut butter rice krispies, I put the chips on top and put in a warm oven just until they melt enough to spread, saves a messy choc. bowl to wash. The cookbook sounds great! djjhdmhinds@juno.com

Never been great at short cuts- I do cook a lot though. A chance at winning this cookbook would be a great addition to my kitchen. My son who is in band would love it if his mom had the know how on quicker cooking. bandcforever1@aol.com

I could really use this!! As the mother of two very busy teenagers, I am always looking for yummy recipes that are quick on time but not on flavor! A quick tip….I buy a large package of chicken breast, cook them in oven, let cool and freeze. Then when I'm in a hurry I can use them for a quick chicken pot pie, stir fry, or casserole!! Sfavro@comcast.net

Sofa pillows! {giggles} You crack me up! 🙂 I do not own a Gooseberry Patch Cookbook. {gasp!} I know, shocking right!? Esecially for someone who has A LOT of cookbooks and a terrible new recipe addiction. I think it's quite a shame I don't own a GBP Cookbook, and would LOVE to change that.

Being a working mother, shortcuts are BIG blessings! Whether it is for the school snack workshop or church or just a nice gift for someone they save the day. These recipes are great! Thank You for your site!!

my daughter, hubby, and new baby are getting a place of their own. she can bake but cooking is still a little challenging for her. i think this book and it's shortcuts would be AWESOME for her!! hope i could win it for her!!

My go to shortcut is buying a rotisserie chicken from costco and use it to make chicken divan, enchiladas or chicken salad. Easy and great flavor! Enjoy your site and would luv to add this book to my collection!karen.d.thomas@gmail.com

When I need to chop or slice an onion, I put it in a container of ice water or put it in the freezer for about 10 to 15 minutes before I slice/chop it. This saves the tears. Please enter me into the cookbook giveaway.morton.laurie@yahoo.com

This is my favorite shortcut. I love my homemade gravy, but if I'm short on time (or just not in the mood), I bust out the trusty can of cream of mushroom and an onion soup packet. Mix together with some of the juices from the meat or with some broth and done!

Can't wait to try the Sopapilla Cheesecake recipe. I just love cheese danish and this looks like it may be very similar and much easier! Came by your blog via facebook. I will be spending more time here!

It's a shame that the comments for the Sofa Pillow Cheesecake have been hijacked by the Cookbook Contest. But, I'm going to leave a review anyways…

I've just made these and they're amazing! The house smells like cinnamon toast from when I was a kid. Each person who tried it rolled their eyes in delight. I was forbidden to ever make them again because they are THAT GOOD (but not very good for you). I used brown sugar in the filling and mixed my cinnamon & sugar together before sprinkling it on top (didn't read the recipe well). I need to figure out how I can do this in single serving sizes. Maybe use a large biscuit cutter.

Oh, I would just love to win this cookbook. I grew up with these recipes and ended up marrying a city slicker who never appreciated my cooking…so I learned to cook differently for him. After putting up with 30 years of abuse from this alcholic, I finally got up enough nerve to leave him. I am divorced, retired and live alone now and struggling with ill health and living on social security, but never been happier in my life, now that I'm a Great-grandmother and can do as I please. I am enjoying cooking my childhood favorites. Thank you for the chance to win this amazing cookbook. mtnnana07@aol.com.

This Short Cut book looks great. One of my favorite shortcut "meal-in-minutes" is to prepare a box of macaroni and chesse (always a crowd pleaser) and customize it with any leftover meats & veggies. You can make it Mexican style by adding leftover taco meat and salsa or chopped tomatoes and jalepenos. For Lent, you can add any canned fish and vegetable like muhrooms and peas or broccoli.

I love using canned biscuits. Put in muffin tins flattened in the cups, you can fill them with just about anything and cover them with grated cheese. We like them with BBQ ground beef and cheese. Danielle@ dswooley@hotmail.com

Great giveaway, thanks so much!!!! My fav shortcut is using flour tortillas to create savory pie dishes. I layer up tons of fresh ingredients with whatever meat I have on hand & use the tortillaa to separate the layers, kind of like a lasagna & before you know it, you have an entire meal!

I'm loving your recipes, but I just wanted to clear something up. A sopapilla is not what you describes. We eat sopapillas like bread with our meals. It is simply fried dough that puffs up. We also stuff them with beans, meat, cheese and smother them with red or green chili and more cheese. We do eat them after a meal sometimes with honey. Just giving you a little lesson in our food here in New Mexico.

I LOVE your blog and all the recipes you share with all of us 🙂 I really NEED all the shortcuts I can get! Between work and my commute I get home at the time most people are washing up AFTER dinner! Needless to say I'm exhausted but still hungry! I try to cook "ahead" and plan out meals but even that takes time (and weekends are so precious with little time for everything that MUST get done before Monday rolls around again too quickly it seems). Again thanks for all you do – incl these great little giveaways (keeping my fingers crossed 🙂

Hi Brandi,I have to tell you that you have gotten me hooked on gooseberry patch books! Ever since you posted about the new harvest cookbook that they put out, I've been requesting them like crazy from our inter-library loan system (the system requests books from other libraries in the state). The local librarians kept looking at the books that would come in for me and started requesting them for themselves. Then, they decided to do a fundraiser for the local library by selling gooseberry patch cookbooks! I just wanted to let you know the effect one of your posts had on our neighborhood! Lol! Keep posting your great recipes and know that there are A LOT of people out here who appreciate you and all that you do! 🙂

This has got to be one of my favorite "go to" desserts! Everyone absolutely Ooooh's and Ahhh's over it every time I whip one up! I actually made one yesterday and added a can of cherry pie filling on top of the cream cheese layer. It was sooo yummy! I omitted the cinnamon for the cherry, but I have also used apple pie filling, and I leave the cinnamon for it. Both are a yummy twist to this already decadent dessert! Try 'em out if you haven't already!

I love to use Zipper storage bags to combine ingredients together. When I make apple pies or chex mix or thins like that it makes it so much easier to mix all the things together and the clean up is a breeze, I either throw it away or wash it out and use it again. When I make Chex mix I can use it 3 or 4 times in a row before the bag has to be thrown away. I love your sight I get so many new ideas for homemade food that I am always impressing my neighbors with my new dinners and desserts, until I share the recipe with them and then they see how easy it was.

Anything to help save time in the kitchen is a God send to busy moms today. I love recipes that add to any shortcuts I might already have in my file. I love using pre-made pie shells to make quiche for my family or the tubes of herbs that are in the vegetable aisle now. One thing nice about Gooseberry Patch cookbooks are they use common items found on the pantry or refrigerator shelves.

I would love that cookbook! There are so many of your recipes that I would love to try off of here as well! I made your sopapilla cheesecake today and blogged about it on my blog I started a couple weeks ago! I gave you credit of course 🙂